"He's everything. He's a movie star, he's funny, he's classy, he's literate -- he'll be a wonderful host." That was the way Oscar show producer Gil Cates described Steve Martin as he announced Monday that the onetime Not Ready for Primetime Player would host what is usually the biggest primetime show of the year. Although he himself has appeared in numerous movies, he has never been nominated for an Oscar, something that Martin alluded to in a statement Monday: "If you can't win 'em, join 'em," Martin said. Next year's Oscar telecast has been set for March 25.

Source: Studio Briefing